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Top 6 T-Shirt Printer Companies Of The Year

January 10, 2024
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the top six T-shirt printing companies of the year, helping you make an informed choice for your custom T-shirt needs.

Top 6 T-Shirt Printer Companies Of The Year

Key Takeaways

  • Printful: Ideal for e-commerce businesses seeking comprehensive print-on-demand solutions.
  • Printify: Perfect for startups and small businesses looking for budget-friendly options.
  • Spreadshirt: Best suited for those who prioritize customization and want to showcase unique designs on a global marketplace.
  • RedBubble: Great for artists and creators wanting to reach a global audience without extensive website development.
  • Spring (formerly Teespring): Ideal for businesses and creators seeking a diverse range of print-on-demand products and marketing assistance.
  • UberPrints: Suited for individuals and small businesses needing quick and reliable custom apparel printing without minimum order quantities.

6 Best T-Shirt Printing Companies

Printful

Printful

Overview

Printful is a household name in the world of custom merchandise. They offer a wide range of nearly 500 T-shirt styles and printing options, ensuring your designs come out just the way you envision them.

One of Printful’s strengths lies in its integration capabilities. It seamlessly integrates with popular platforms like Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, eBay, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and more, ensuring smooth syncs and connectivity across various channels and making it easy to manage and fulfill orders.

Printful goes the extra mile with features like automatic order fulfillment, a mock-up generator, and an intuitive design tool. These features streamline your business operations and enhance the customer experience.

After uploading your designs, you can visualize how they’ll appear on your t-shirts using Printful’s mock-up generator and seamlessly add images to your store. Printful’s user-friendly interface suits various business sizes, from startups to larger fashion brands, providing comprehensive services including fulfillment, packaging, and real-time order tracking to keep your customers informed about their progress.

Pricing

Signing up and using Printful to design your custom mockups is free. However, you’ll be responsible for covering the production, packaging, and shipping costs of your items. The specific price for each product will depend on the customization choices you make.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Budget-friendly
  • Quick turnaround times
  • Easy-to-use design tool
  • Diverse product range
  • Integrations with multiple ecommerce platforms
  • A global network of order fulfillment centers and efficient shipping

Cons:

  • Certain products may have higher costs compared to others
  • Order fulfillment times can vary.

Who should use Printful

  • E-commerce Stores: This makes it an ideal choice for businesses looking to expand their product offerings with custom-designed merchandise.
  • Artists and Designers: With a wide range of customizable products, they can turn their artwork into tangible products for sale, allowing them to monetize their talent.
  • Clothing Brands: This is especially beneficial for startups looking to test the market before investing in large-scale manufacturing. Moreover, the platform supports a wide range of print-on-demand clothing items like POD dog clothing, POD jeans, POD holiday clothing, etc.
  • Promotional Product Companies: Businesses specializing in promotional products, such as custom-branded merchandise for corporate clients or event giveaways, can use Printiful to access a diverse range of customizable items. 
  • Nonprofits and Fundraisers: Nonprofit organizations and fundraisers can use Printiful to create custom merchandise for fundraising campaigns or to raise awareness for their causes. 

Printify

Printify

Overview

Printify is a leading print-on-demand company specializing in custom merchandise. The dropshipping company makes it easy and fast for business owners and creators to design and sell custom t-shirts, phone cases, and other items. They can even ship these products to customers worldwide.

It provides different printing methods, such as “Direct to Garment” (DTG), cut and sew, embroidery, and sublimation. These methods help your designs stand out. The tool also connects seamlessly with many online stores like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Using Printify, you can conveniently order products with just a few clicks.

Printify has a helpful mock-up generator, allowing you to create attractive images for your products on your Shopify store. The tool also automatically syncs your orders and manages your inventory, helping you keep track of each sale. Moreover, their global supply network ensures that you can deliver items to customers from the nearest location to them every time.

Pricing

First, the “Free” plan is ideal for those just starting their business journey. With no monthly fee, this option grants access to five stores per account and unlimited product designs, allowing newcomers to explore the platform without financial commitment. 

The “Premium” plan is the most popular choice for merchants with growing sales. Priced at $24.99 per month, billed annually, it provides access to ten stores per account and unlimited product designs. 

For enterprises handling 10,000 or more orders daily, Printify offers the “Enterprise” plan with custom pricing. This option is tailored to businesses with extensive operations and high demand. 

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Wide range of printing options
  • Abundant t-shirt design choices
  • Seamless integration with leading ecommerce
  • Global fulfillment locations available
  • Excellent premium packages for high-volume sellers

Cons

  • Some of the best features require a paid plan

Who should use Printify

  • Entrepreneurs: Printify is a great way for entrepreneurs to start an online business without investing in inventory or shipping. You can create a store on any of the major eCommerce platforms, such as Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce, and start selling your custom-printed products immediately.
  • Small businesses: You can create custom-printed products with your business logo or branding and sell them alongside your existing products.
  • Anyone who wants to sell custom-printed products: Printify is a great option for anyone who wants to sell custom-printed products, regardless of their business size or experience level.

Spreadshirt

Spreadshirt

Overview

Spreadshirt is a dynamic company known for its expertise in custom T-shirt printing. They excel in bringing unique designs to life on high-quality apparel, making them a preferred choice for those seeking personalized and print-on-demand gym clothing.

Its user-friendly platform offers a wide array of customizable items for entrepreneurs to explore. What’s more, the platform supports listings in up to 12 languages, facilitating global business expansion.

Even if you’re struggling with design ideas, Spreadshirt has you covered. If you lack an image for your custom T-shirt, you can select from a plethora of designs created by artists within their extensive global community. Additionally, Spreadshirt takes a commendably eco-friendly and sustainable approach, making it a fitting choice for environmentally-conscious brands.

Streamlining the process of selling various clothing and apparel items, Spreadshirt employs transparent manufacturing practices and provides a user-friendly backend. Especially if you’re new to the world of ecommerce, you can enhance your chances of reaching potential customers by listing your products on the Spreadshirt marketplace, thereby attracting new clients organically.

Pricing

Spreadshirt’s pricing structure comprises the product price (e.g., a T-shirt), printing costs, and a design price, if applicable. The design price applies solely to community designs and is not relevant when users add their own text, upload designs, or use designs marked as “free.”

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Helpful marketing tools to stand out online
  • Easy-to-use backend environment
  • Payments available from various platforms
  • Extensive customization options
  • Access to a vast network of custom designs

Cons

  • Some products can be expensive
  • Competitive marketplace

Who should use Spreadshirt

  • Artists and Designers: Independent artists and designers can showcase their talents by creating and selling custom T-shirt designs.
  • Eco-Friendly Brands: Environmentally conscious brands seeking sustainable and eco-friendly printing options will find Spreadshirt to be a fitting partner.
  • Global Expansions: Businesses aiming to tap into global markets can leverage Spreadshirt’s multilingual capabilities and international reach.

RedBubble

RedBubble

Overview

The beauty of RedBubble lies in its simplicity – no need for an independent ecommerce site. Instead, you can craft your designs and present them on a thriving global marketplace that already boasts a dedicated customer base eager to explore and purchase your creations.

The platform offers a wide array of t-shirt designs to choose from, along with various other appealing products you can add to your inventory if you decide to broaden your offerings.

RedBubble is user-friendly and particularly suitable for beginners, featuring a handy mock-up generator that provides a clear preview of your product’s appearance. Furthermore, you can even order samples of your items to ensure they meet your expectations. As an additional advantage, RedBubble facilitates exceptional customer service, including free returns, exchanges, and the option for money-back guarantees.

Pricing

RedBubble’s pricing structure incorporates the “Base Price” concept, representing the item’s price before the independent artist margin is applied. Artists can access Base Prices and determine them for their products. 

To check the current base price of any product, artists can log in to their accounts, add the desired product to their cart, and note the price – as the artist margin doesn’t apply to personal purchases, the displayed price reflects the base price.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Exceptional customer service options
  • Diverse selection of clothing and t-shirt products
  • Convenient product showcasing in a marketplace
  • Abundant customization options
  • Relatively swift shipping

Cons

  • Competitive marketplace environment
  • Varied quality of goods

Who should use RedBubble

  • Artists and Designers: Creatives seeking an established marketplace to display and sell their t-shirt designs and merchandise.
  • E-commerce Beginners: Those new to online selling can benefit from RedBubble’s user-friendly interface and built-in customer base.
  • T-shirt Enthusiasts: Individuals passionate about t-shirt designs can explore various customizable options.

Spring (formerly Teespring)

Spring (formerly Teespring)

Overview

Spring, previously known as Teespring, was originally designed with a primary focus on helping print on demand clothing companies and creators craft remarkable t-shirt designs. What sets Spring apart is its unique approach, allowing users to showcase their products on their own websites or directly within the Teespring marketplace.

Beyond the marketplace, Teespring offers many features typical of other dropshipping solutions, including a powerful mock-up generator that enables experimentation with design concepts.

Its standout feature is the ability to download images of your mock-up products for showcasing across various channels and cross-selling. Teespring goes a step further by allowing creators to donate a portion of their profits directly to charity. To bolster marketing efforts, Teespring introduces the “Boosted Network,” which helps elevate your product visibility on platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and more, for a nominal fee.

Pricing

Spring is a 100% free-to-use platform. Creators have the freedom to set their selling prices and retain 100% of the profit. For instance, if the base cost of a t-shirt is $10, and you opt to sell it for $24, you would pocket $14 in profit.

It’s important to note that accessing the Boosted network requires payment, and you will also be responsible for covering the expenses associated with creating and shipping the items. Certain premium services, such as “rush shipping,” may entail additional costs.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Vast range of product options
  • Abundant marketing assistance for beginners
  • Streamlined ordering and fulfillment
  • User-friendly mock-up generator
  • Expedited shipping options
  • High-quality product offerings

Cons

  • Intense competition within the marketplace

Who should use Spring

  • Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: Individuals and businesses seeking an array of customizable print-on-demand products can benefit from Spring’s diverse product range.
  • Beginners in Marketing: Those new to marketing can leverage Spring’s marketing assistance and Boosted Network to amplify their reach.
  • Creators and Designers: Artists and designers looking to showcase their creativity on a variety of merchandise will find Spring’s mock-up generator and diverse product offerings appealing.

UberPrints

UberPrints

Overview

In line with the philosophy of many other Print-on-Demand (POD) providers we’ve explored, UberPrints liberates you from the constraints of bulk orders or minimum order quantities. Instead, you can effortlessly procure items precisely when your customers demand them.

UberPrints spoils you for choice with a diverse selection of t-shirt and garment options, spanning short-sleeve and long-sleeve tees, tank tops, jackets, and vests. For the creative process, UberPrints equips business owners with an uncomplicated mockup generator, complete with customizable colors for each shirt.

If you lack the budget for in-house design services and require additional assistance, UberPrints extends a helping hand. You can choose from an assortment of clip art-style designs to enhance your products, sourced directly from UberPrints. Furthermore, there’s the flexibility to opt for various design services, encompassing digital printing, screen printing, and embroidery.

Pricing

The cost of your custom t-shirt hinges on several variables. UberPrints simplifies this process with a dedicated quote calculator for each product in their catalog, allowing you to input these variables to determine the precise cost of your t-shirts. To facilitate product comparisons based on price, UberPrints offers a Price Quote filter in the product catalog.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Outstanding online design tool
  • Prompt and dependable garment printing
  • Access to diverse design choices
  • Abundance of sweatshirts and t-shirt options
  • Exceptional customer service and support

Cons

  • Shipping times can vary

Who should use UberPrints

  • Creatives and Designers: Artists and designers aiming to bring their unique t-shirt designs to life can leverage UberPrints’ user-friendly design tool.
  • Event Organizers: Individuals organizing events can use UberPrints for customized event apparel.
  • Customer-Focused Businesses: Companies prioritizing excellent customer service can benefit from UberPrints’ strong customer support.

How To Choose The Best T-Shirt Printer Company

1. Identify Your Needs

Consider factors such as the type of apparel you need, quantity, design complexity, and your budget. Whether it’s promotional tees, one-of-a-kind designs, or bulk orders, clarity on your needs will guide your decision.

2. Quality Matters

Investigate the printing methods offered by the company, such as screen printing, digital printing, or embroidery. 

3. Check Reputation and Reviews

Research the reputation of potential t-shirt printers. Look for reviews and testimonials from previous customers. A company with a positive track record for reliability, customer service, and timely delivery strongly indicates professionalism.

4. Technology and Equipment

Ensure the company employs up-to-date printing technology and equipment. 

5. Customization Options

Evaluate the level of customization offered. Can you upload your own designs, choose from pre-made templates, or collaborate with in-house designers? 

6. Pricing Transparency

Scrutinize pricing models, including any setup fees, bulk order discounts, or additional charges. A clear understanding of costs ensures your project stays within budget.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, whether you’re an entrepreneur, designer, or individual with a creative spark, the right t-shirt printing company is your trusted partner in turning ideas into tangible expressions. Choose wisely, and your custom t-shirts will become not just garments but canvases for your creativity and vehicles for your message.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.